\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"“Obviously, there's no secret my July was tough,\" Verdugo said. \"I was going through a lot. I feel like physically and mentally I was just kind of grinding in certain areas and pressing when I shouldn't have been. So to slow down some stuff and feel like I'm just more relaxed in the box, I’m kind of just timing up the ball a lot better. So it feels good.”\n\nWhat gave Verdugo the realization he needed to slow it down?\n\n“When you hit a buck in a month, you’ve got to switch up, right?” Verdugo said.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-08-02T01:40:00Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://darkroom-clips.mlb.com/3da8825b-6e37-4a55-885f-a941998a6f82.mp4","type":"video","description":"The data behind Alex Verdugo's home run","displayAsVideoGif":true,"duration":"00:00:16","slug":"breaking-down-alex-verdugo-s-home-run-x3531","tags":[{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"data-visualization","title":"data visualization","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-657077","title":"Alex Verdugo","person":{"__ref":"Person:657077"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-111","title":"Boston Red Sox","team":{"__ref":"Team:111"},"type":"team"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/z3oumb9kkcw9bvbxr7ul"},"title":"Breaking down Alex Verdugo's home run","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/breaking-down-alex-verdugo-s-home-run-x3531"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Verdugo came to the Red Sox in a February 2020 trade along with catcher Connor Wong in the deal that sent Mookie Betts to the Dodgers.\n\nFeeling like he has unfinished business with the Red Sox, Verdugo had no desire to be on the move again three years later.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-08-02T03:13:18.953Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-08/01/929056ab-6b55ac6a-e5b98d6b-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Reese McGuire drives a solo home run to right field in the top of the 6th to give the Red Sox a 6-3 lead","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:22","slug":"bryce-miller-in-play-run-s-to-reese-mcguire","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-624512","title":"Reese McGuire","person":{"__ref":"Person:624512"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-111","title":"Boston Red Sox","team":{"__ref":"Team:111"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"home-run","title":"home run","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/bus35j7oevy7eprywwfl"},"title":"Reese McGuire's solo HR (1)","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/bryce-miller-in-play-run-s-to-reese-mcguire"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"“You hear some things and you never know what to believe, right? Anybody can report something. And it could be false. It could be right,” Verdugo said. “So you just don't know. So for me, it was just a little bit of a weird time. I like Boston. I wanted to stay here and I want to continue playing here. So just to kind of know that I'm staying here, and know that it's kind of a restart of the season, feels good.”\n\nMany players talk in clichés about Trade Deadline rumors. However, Verdugo gave some insight into his emotions these last few days.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-08-02T02:36:28.199Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-08/01/28eca927-8dae8c69-b71cb2e9-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Christian Arroyo laces a two-run ground-rule double to right field in the 4th inning to give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:26","slug":"christian-arroyo-hits-a-ground-rule-double-16-on-a-line-drive-to-right-field-mas","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-624414","title":"Christian Arroyo","person":{"__ref":"Person:624414"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-111","title":"Boston Red Sox","team":{"__ref":"Team:111"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"2-yahoo-mlb-ads-feed","title":"2-Yahoo MLB Ads Feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"yahoo-in-game","title":"Yahoo In-Game","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"samsung-vod","title":"Samsung VOD","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/l8rbwbswvvlzxj7huoaj"},"title":"Arroyo's two-run ground-rule double","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/christian-arroyo-hits-a-ground-rule-double-16-on-a-line-drive-to-right-field-mas"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"“When you don't have any communication \\[from the front office\\], you're kind of left in the dark,” said Verdugo. “And so, it’s all up to your mind which way you want to take it. I know for me, I try to think about it from all aspects. You see both sides. So I think that's what made it tough. \n\n“I was seeing it from my side, ‘I want to stay here, I love playing here,’ and seeing it from their side, ‘It’s a business, try to get what you can’ and things like that. Your mind takes it wherever you want, but I think at the end of the day, the best way to handle it is trying to block it out. Go have fun and just go play the game.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-08-02T03:27:06.023Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-08/01/4b523b32-37bf8124-f6f51b4e-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Jarren Duran takes a base hit away from Cade Marlowe with a sliding catch in the bottom of the 6th inning","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:20","slug":"cade-marlowe-flies-out-to-left-fielder-jarren-duran","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-111","title":"Boston Red Sox","team":{"__ref":"Team:111"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"defense","title":"defense","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-680776","title":"Jarren Duran","person":{"__ref":"Person:680776"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/trnw3qqhjzrv7vabpcam"},"title":"Jarren Duran's sliding grab","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/cade-marlowe-flies-out-to-left-fielder-jarren-duran"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Verdugo is a difference-maker when he’s going right.\n\n“He’s been moving better the last two days offensively,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “Seems like he’s staying behind the ball, which is good. He got a good pitch to hit, a 2-0 count, and hit the ball in the air. So that’s a good sign. That’s good.”","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-08-02T06:30:41.476Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-08/01/a6a6fdcb-b2956eec-5f648470-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Alex Cora discusses Brayan Bello's start in the Red Sox's 6-4 victory over the Mariners","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:45","slug":"alex-cora-on-red-sox-6-4-win","tags":[{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-111","title":"Boston Red Sox","team":{"__ref":"Team:111"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"tune-in-daily","title":"TuneIn daily","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"manager-postgame","title":"manager postgame","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"press-conference","title":"press conference","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/sqbcr68eby78ycqtifha"},"title":"Alex Cora on Red Sox's 6-4 win","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/alex-cora-on-red-sox-6-4-win"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"For the first three months of the season, Verdugo was one of Boston’s most consistent players. He had a sturdy .301 average and an .836 OPS when he showed up to the ballpark on July 1. \n\nThose numbers are down to .271 and .772, respectively. But Verdugo has the confidence he can get his groove back for the rest of the year.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-08-02T04:19:37.399Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/2e4b00dd-183f-4b40-a4da-758d9846b41a.mp4","type":"video","description":"","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:06","slug":"julio-rodriguez-strikes-out-swinging-lftcao","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-445276","title":"Kenley Jansen","person":{"__ref":"Person:445276"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-111","title":"Boston Red Sox","team":{"__ref":"Team:111"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/ztntttag5m3dczmiumfh"},"title":"Kenley Jansen secures the save","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/julio-rodriguez-strikes-out-swinging-lftcao"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"“It's one bad month,” Verdugo said. “Really, just chalk it at that. It's one bad month and I can go out and \\[hit\\] .300 for the next two months and be right back to where I was before this slump.”\n\nAnd there will be no more trade rumors to cloud his head.\n\n“It's like a refresher, and it feels like it's kind of like a jumpstart,” said Verdugo. “Like, hey, I’m back on here, they want me, this is our team, this is our squad. And just for me, just go out there and compete and play hard, you just go back to the things that made me valuable to the team.”","type":"text"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/alex-verdugo-hits-two-run-homer-in-red-sox-s-win","contentType":"news","subHeadline":null,"summary":"SEATTLE -- For a couple of reasons, no player on the Red Sox was happier to see the calendar flip from July to August than Alex Verdugo.\nJuly was a month when Verdugo’s bat essentially went to sleep, as evidenced by a slash line of .151/.232/.247 with two homers and","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":null,"tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"GameTag","gamePk":717167,"slug":"gamepk-717167","title":"2023/08/01 bos@sea","type":"game"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-111","title":"Boston Red Sox","team":{"__ref":"Team:111"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"ian-browne","title":"Ian Browne","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-recap","title":"game recap","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-657077","title":"Alex Verdugo","person":{"__ref":"Person:657077"},"type":"player"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/rqdhg4cj4tbut9po1i2p","title":"Alex Verdugo hits two-run homer in Red Sox's win"}},"Person:657077":{"__typename":"Person","id":657077},"Team:111":{"__typename":"Team","id":111},"Person:624512":{"__typename":"Person","id":624512},"Person:624414":{"__typename":"Person","id":624414},"Person:680776":{"__typename":"Person","id":680776},"Person:445276":{"__typename":"Person","id":445276}}}
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Verdugo ends 'one bad month' with game-changing blast
Verdugo ends 'one bad month' with game-changing blast
SEATTLE -- For a couple of reasons, no player on the Red Sox was happier to see the calendar flip from July to August than Alex Verdugo.
July was a month when Verdugo’s bat essentially went to sleep, as evidenced by a slash line of .151/.232/.247 with two homers and seven RBIs.
And as the month came to a close, Verdugo heard his name in various trade rumors and woke up on Tuesday wondering if he would need a change-of-address form by the 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.
Hours after Verdugo learned for sure he was staying put, he celebrated with a two-run homer that helped lead the Red Sox to a 6-4 win over the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Verdugo’s Sox are just 1 1/2 games back in the American League Wild Card standings.
“Obviously, there's no secret my July was tough," Verdugo said. "I was going through a lot. I feel like physically and mentally I was just kind of grinding in certain areas and pressing when I shouldn't have been. So to slow down some stuff and feel like I'm just more relaxed in the box, I’m kind of just timing up the ball a lot better. So it feels good.”
What gave Verdugo the realization he needed to slow it down?
“When you hit a buck in a month, you’ve got to switch up, right?” Verdugo said.
Verdugo came to the Red Sox in a February 2020 trade along with catcher Connor Wong in the deal that sent Mookie Betts to the Dodgers.
Feeling like he has unfinished business with the Red Sox, Verdugo had no desire to be on the move again three years later.
“You hear some things and you never know what to believe, right? Anybody can report something. And it could be false. It could be right,” Verdugo said. “So you just don't know. So for me, it was just a little bit of a weird time. I like Boston. I wanted to stay here and I want to continue playing here. So just to kind of know that I'm staying here, and know that it's kind of a restart of the season, feels good.”
Many players talk in clichés about Trade Deadline rumors. However, Verdugo gave some insight into his emotions these last few days.
“When you don't have any communication [from the front office], you're kind of left in the dark,” said Verdugo. “And so, it’s all up to your mind which way you want to take it. I know for me, I try to think about it from all aspects. You see both sides. So I think that's what made it tough.
“I was seeing it from my side, ‘I want to stay here, I love playing here,’ and seeing it from their side, ‘It’s a business, try to get what you can’ and things like that. Your mind takes it wherever you want, but I think at the end of the day, the best way to handle it is trying to block it out. Go have fun and just go play the game.”
Verdugo is a difference-maker when he’s going right.
“He’s been moving better the last two days offensively,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “Seems like he’s staying behind the ball, which is good. He got a good pitch to hit, a 2-0 count, and hit the ball in the air. So that’s a good sign. That’s good.”
For the first three months of the season, Verdugo was one of Boston’s most consistent players. He had a sturdy .301 average and an .836 OPS when he showed up to the ballpark on July 1.
Those numbers are down to .271 and .772, respectively. But Verdugo has the confidence he can get his groove back for the rest of the year.
“It's one bad month,” Verdugo said. “Really, just chalk it at that. It's one bad month and I can go out and [hit] .300 for the next two months and be right back to where I was before this slump.”
And there will be no more trade rumors to cloud his head.
“It's like a refresher, and it feels like it's kind of like a jumpstart,” said Verdugo. “Like, hey, I’m back on here, they want me, this is our team, this is our squad. And just for me, just go out there and compete and play hard, you just go back to the things that made me valuable to the team.”